Joe F- Cincinnati
04-04-2007, 12:43 PM
The title says it all.
In my opinion the two positions the Bengals should be looking at in the first round (based on our needs, who will likely be available, and depth at position groups in this class) are CB and LB.
Personally, I have a lot of questions regarding many of the top CB prospects in this year's draft class. The names most frequently being thrown around as CB possibilities for the Bengals in the 1st round are Chris Houston and Darrelle Revis. Although Houston played well against top competition and has very good measurables, I don't like much of what I have read regarding Houston's personality. He has been said to be cocky, and according to Scouts inc. Houston "Doesn't show as much interest in run support as he should. He is satisfied to let his teammates make plays versus the run instead of going out of his way to get involved."
As far as Revis is concerned, I don't know if it's a lack of top end speed and athleticism or the fact that his production seemed to decrease each year in college, but I just don't have a good feeling about Revis as a 1st round pick. Call it a hunch.
Therefore, I believe the Bengals should target a LB in the first round. Numerous reports have indicated that the Bengals are interested in prospects that best project as WLB's (Rufus Alexander and Justin Durant). The Bengals aren't comfortable with Landon Johnson as the future on the weak side (and they shouldn't be), and IMO are in desperate need of a playmaking LB. Lawrence Timmons fits the bill.
Despite rankings and reports that have Jon Beason ahead of Lawrence Timmons, I believe Timmons to be the better prospect. Timmons is raw due to inexperience but any FSU fan (yes I'm an FSU fan...I can assure you however that this is not a "homer" pick) will tell you that this guy showed flahes of DOMINANCE in college. Timmons has exceptional athleticism and was all over the place this past season. Famed FSU D-coordinator Mickey Andrews took full advantage of Timmons' athleticism by using him as a versatile weapon on the strong side, at times on the weak side, and even with his hand down as a pass rusher. Timmons has a 2nd gear and has great instincts that allows him to make many plays in the opponents backfield. He's also a vicious hitter...maybe not quite as vicious as Ernie Sims (few are), but some believe Timmons may actually turn out to be a better pro LB than Sims.
Timmons would be ideal to plug in on the weak side and take advantage of his athleticism by letting him fly around and make plays. I'll be watching intently on draft day, hoping that one of the best kept secrets of the 1st round is still available at #18.
In my opinion the two positions the Bengals should be looking at in the first round (based on our needs, who will likely be available, and depth at position groups in this class) are CB and LB.
Personally, I have a lot of questions regarding many of the top CB prospects in this year's draft class. The names most frequently being thrown around as CB possibilities for the Bengals in the 1st round are Chris Houston and Darrelle Revis. Although Houston played well against top competition and has very good measurables, I don't like much of what I have read regarding Houston's personality. He has been said to be cocky, and according to Scouts inc. Houston "Doesn't show as much interest in run support as he should. He is satisfied to let his teammates make plays versus the run instead of going out of his way to get involved."
As far as Revis is concerned, I don't know if it's a lack of top end speed and athleticism or the fact that his production seemed to decrease each year in college, but I just don't have a good feeling about Revis as a 1st round pick. Call it a hunch.
Therefore, I believe the Bengals should target a LB in the first round. Numerous reports have indicated that the Bengals are interested in prospects that best project as WLB's (Rufus Alexander and Justin Durant). The Bengals aren't comfortable with Landon Johnson as the future on the weak side (and they shouldn't be), and IMO are in desperate need of a playmaking LB. Lawrence Timmons fits the bill.
Despite rankings and reports that have Jon Beason ahead of Lawrence Timmons, I believe Timmons to be the better prospect. Timmons is raw due to inexperience but any FSU fan (yes I'm an FSU fan...I can assure you however that this is not a "homer" pick) will tell you that this guy showed flahes of DOMINANCE in college. Timmons has exceptional athleticism and was all over the place this past season. Famed FSU D-coordinator Mickey Andrews took full advantage of Timmons' athleticism by using him as a versatile weapon on the strong side, at times on the weak side, and even with his hand down as a pass rusher. Timmons has a 2nd gear and has great instincts that allows him to make many plays in the opponents backfield. He's also a vicious hitter...maybe not quite as vicious as Ernie Sims (few are), but some believe Timmons may actually turn out to be a better pro LB than Sims.
Timmons would be ideal to plug in on the weak side and take advantage of his athleticism by letting him fly around and make plays. I'll be watching intently on draft day, hoping that one of the best kept secrets of the 1st round is still available at #18.